Drag radials

TWINSCRW · Guest

anyone have recommendations on brands of drag radials? I've got to get some traction. I'm looking at getting 315/35 17's for the stock rims.

FastOrange · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

I run the Mickey Thompson ET streets, the bias plies, and you know I dont have traction issues. Its the 26x11.50x17. I also know they have a radial that is a 275 width for 17's. I know 275 doesnt sound very wide but i know cars running a 15 inch wheel witht the 275's and they're pulling 1.5 second 60's. Its the size I'll run when I get 15 inch wheels and Mickeys are the only brand I'll consider. If you're dead set on running a 315 I know M&H makes a radial in that size that you can check out. Stay away from nitto, I've never seen them hook.

TWINSCRW · Guest

I haven't heard anything good about nitto's either but Mickey Thompsons do have the 315's and I can get the set for $409.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-315-35-17-MICKEY-THOMPSON-ET-STREET-DRAG-RADIAL-TIRES_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66475QQihZ023QQitemZ360087972573QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

TWINSCRW · Guest

I thought you were running slicks

FastOrange · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

Not a true slick, they're the et streets, dot aprroved, but not safe for anything longer than the trip I make to the track. They're propably the best hooking 17 inch tire.

FastOrange · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

Be careful with how wide you go. I'm pretty sure 315 is too wide for our stock wheels, I know the 275's fit just fine, and should provide plent of bite for you. Are you stilling running stock control arms and rearend? If so I'd be tentative about how hard you want to hook. I just blew out my last urethane bushing last friday. Now my rear suspension is all adjustablt spherical bushings.

TWINSCRW · Guest

yup its all stock back there.... if it ain't broke don't fix it....
I don't think i'm gonna go with bias ply..... its almost 40 miles from here to the track and jamming a set of drag radials in the trunk is not gonna happen..

ECUSVT31 · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

ive got nittos. 275s, good street tire for my DD. been hooking pretty wel at teh track so far
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FISNRULZ · Laying Rubber Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 1280

FastOrange · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

Theres no telling really Dave. Some guys run their stock stuff like dan plans on doing, and then there is me running race stuff. I was told that Polyurethane bushings were more than capable of handling my power output, and I just replaced my last blown out bushing with a spherical end in the rear suspension of my car. It's a toss up, you are definitley NOT going to hurt the car by doing those mods, but I cant promise you you dont need them either. I have a BMR adjustabl UCA (3rd link) that just needs a new bushing if you're interested. BMR will send me replacements at no cost, wont be the first time I've had to have them do that.
P.S. dont run a one piece DS unless you have an adjustable 3rd link, you'll experience all kinds of nasty drivline noise if you dont, plus you'll want it to dial in how much bite you car has too.

ScreamingFast · Site Admin Joined: Aug 17, 2008 Posts: 11364

Fastorange is right a great compliment to street/drag radial tire is a good rearend set up. Doesn't matter what kind of tire you run if you have wheel hop issues. I have a set street/race lower control arm (metal bushing axle side and poly body side) and they made a big difference. But now my tires are bald as hell and plus I have one of my bushing on my uppers is done. So I am back to square one. I am working on getting some good street tires for my 18's and a nice MT's for my old 17's. Plus replacing my uppers or boxing them and a set of new bushing.

Pontisteve · Joined: Oct 11, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Ocala, FL

The Mickey Thompson tire is pretty much king when it comes to drag radials. Nitto is at the bottom of the ladder looking up, but they are more designed for "improved traction over stock", with a longer lifespan. We pick up around 2 -3 tenths, when switching from BFG's to Mickeys. (We have to run BFG's in NMRA Drag Radial, because they sponsor the class).

Something to consider...

If you've got a fairly mild car, but launch the heck out of it to get lower ET's, and you use stock suspension and sticky tires to make it hook, you're beating up the stock suspension pretty hard. A kinder, gentler approach might be to spend some money on good rear suspension, and let the car do the work instead of putting the entire load on the tires. It'll be easier on the car, and easier on the tires.

The above poster is dead on about having an adjustable upper control arm if running a one-piece driveshaft. You have to modify pinion angle to get it back to correct.

While everybody pretty well knows that control arms are the first thing to replace, what's not as well understood is the deficiencies of the S197 Mustangs upper control arm mount. Especially with hard launches, you'll probably find that the mounting bolt hole is wallowed out, causing unknown rear end movement and tire unloading. Equally underrated is the advantages of changing your instant center with a control arm relocation bracket, or an adjustable upper control arm mount.

By the way, we've got a theory on why the poly bushings go bad. Without rattling on and on about it, let's just say that they're greased, they're fluted, they're too stiff, and they're cast. A better design bushing doesn't seem to have that problem. And like an above poster noted, putting a hybrid arm on the car can eliminate at least half of that potential problem... albeit with an increase in NVH.
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SuperDan · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

well would the 315 35 r17s be too wide for my 02 GT? pending on backspacing i know but idk anything about this metric tire size stuff, i like the old skool 26x10 R15 stuff better

TWINSCRW · Guest

joey runs 315 street tires on his and chris had no problems when he ran with my MT's

Heater · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:09 pm Post subject:


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